Virgin Voyages Signs with Wartsila for Scrubbers

The 3 ships forming Virgin Voyages fleet will start operations in 2020, 2021 and 2022, and will all be equipped with Wartsila hybrid scrubber system along with selective catalytic reduction systems for exhaust gas cleaning, according to a statement released by Wartsila on Monday, July 23.

From January 1, 2020, the IMO (International Maritime Organization) global marine fuels sulfur limit falls to 0.5%, from 3.5%, thus forcing shipowners to either switch to more expensive, cleaner fuels or install scrubbers. Some industry sources are saying that at least 60% of the current vessels could opt for scrubbers by 2022.

The trio Virgin Voyages ships will also feature Wartsila46F engines, in addition to scrubbers, as well as Wartsila Nacos Platinum navigation solution.

The arrangement comes as part of a 10-year maintenance agreement between Wartsila and Virgin Voyages, which is responsible for ensuring that Virgin Voyages ships are powered and operated sustainably.

The agreement includes remote operational support services, as well as specific fuel oil consumption meters and calibration, spare parts and technical advisory services for Virgin ships' engines.